Chemical World: Wetplate Collodion Photography

*UPDATE* Visit the Silver Sunbeam - www.silversunbeam.co.uk - to see all of Andy Martin’s wetplate portrait and landscape work. *UPDATE*

Not a lot of people know this. But for the past 3 years or so, I’ve been realising a long time dream and experimenting with some slightly obscure chemicals in the name of exploring the early days of photography:- The Wet Plate Process. Being quite a traditionalist in terms of taking photos, a process invented in the early 1850s was near to top of my ‘things to learn’ list. Coupled with the fact that long exposures during the day were not only possible, but essential, I was hooked!

The technique has seen quite a significant revival around the world (but mostly in the US) in recent years, and the ease of finding chemical suppliers, equipment, information and of course advice on the internet has certainly made this one of the more accessible early photographic processes.

In a nutshell, the process involves the following steps:

Coating a metal (tintype) or glass plate with a Collodion solution

Sensitizing the plate in a bath of Silver Nitrate

Loading the light sensitive plate into a camera of some description

Taking a photograph – exposures can range from around a second to a few minutes in some cases

Developing the plate in a Ferrous Sulphate based mixture under safelight (darkroom) conditions

Fixing the plate using standard photographic Fixer (Potassium Cyanide is more authentic, but not for me)

Washing, drying and then varnishing the plate with a Gum Sandarac Varnish

Steps 1-6 are all done whilst the plate is wet, hence the name. I’l add a disclaimer that the steps above are only a very basic outline of the process, and there are many ways to make a tintype. Much information can be found online and in those old fashioned book things to those wishing to learn more.

There’s also a superb visual demonstration of the process by Mark Osterman of George Eastman House which can be seen here:

So, on to my experiences of the technique. Around 3 years ago, I found myself in a position of having a reasonable camera selection, established (home made) darkroom and a small amount of disposable income to further investigate. And an urge to learn something new, for those summer months where night photography isn’t so easy.

In researching equipment and guidance, I happened upon the website of a gentleman named Seán Mackenna, who had honed his wet plate skills in the world of American Civil War Re-enactment over the years. Now pretty much retired from the re-enactment photography, he still practices the process on a regular basis. His website was, and still is, a fantastic resource, and there was even the very kind offer of a demonstration at his home in London.

Enquiries were made, a date set, and a month or two later I was wandering around North London eager to learn. And learn I did. Seán was exceptionally helpful both during my time in London, showing me the process and also afterwards once I’d started gathering the necessary tools and then eventually making my own tintypes.

Once I’d managed to acquire all of the necessary chemicals to start making plates, and pulled together (or made!) the equipment my first attempt was not too bad at all, considering:

Since then, it’s been a bit on and off in not having as much time or money, or space as I’d like to devote to this. Regardless, progress has been made, many plates made at home and I’ve been fine tuning chemical mixes. Truth be told, it can be an immensely frustrating process. Sometimes, the chemicals just won’t play nicely and there’s not a lot you can do but dust yourself down and start again another day.

But when it goes well, what an amazing feeling. It’s like that magical experience of seeing your first print appear from nothing in a tray in the darkroom, or pulling out that first roll of B&W film you developed yourself. But multiplied by 1000. See for yourself (click to play):

And a few more test shots:

I now feel I’m at the stage where I can get reasonably consistent results and take it a step further…

One comment

great work, i am to is looking into wet plate photography and i am looking at all off the web sites for help. but all of the collodion chemicals and tools are only found in the USA. is there any place in London or in England where i can get hold of the things i need, i would be very grateful for your help. Anthony